News>Spanish and Italian Folklore dancers bring culture to Lajes
Photos
Torre Sebelenea, a folklore dance group from Italy, performs traditional dances at the community center, Aug. 13, 2012, at Lajes Field. The 65th Force Support Squadron hosted the event providing another opportunity for Airmen and their families to experience other cultures here in the Azores. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Torre Sebelenea, a folklore dance group from Italy, performs traditional dances at the community center, Aug. 13, 2012, at Lajes Field. The 65th Force Support Squadron hosted the event providing another opportunity for Airmen and their families to experience other cultures here in the Azores. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Justo Del Rio, a folklore dance group from Spain, performs traditional dances at the community center, Aug. 13, 2012, at Lajes Field. This is the third year in a row where the 65th Force Support Squadron hosted the folklore dancers to come and share their culture with the Airman and families of the Lajes community. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
Justo Del Rio, a folklore dance group from Spain, performs traditional dances at the community center, Aug. 13, 2012, at Lajes Field. This is the third year in a row where the 65th Force Support Squadron hosted the folklore dancers to come and share their culture with the Airman and families of the Lajes community. (Photo by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory)
by Tech. Sgt. Chenzira Mallory
65th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
8/14/2012 - LAJES FIELD, Azores -- Folklore dance groups from Italy and Spain shared a piece of their culture with the Lajes Field community here Aug. 13.
The 65th Force Support Squadron hosted the event for the third year in a row to bring an entertaining and unique cultural experience to the remote island of Terceira, said Tim Case, 65th FSS operations officer.
"It's good to see other countries come out and show us their folklore dances, to make us feel like we're part of the world."
Tech. Sgt. Carlos Perez, 65th Medical Operations Squadron, NCOIC of Public Health, brought his three children to the event for the learning opportunity.
"This was an opportunity to show my children what's out there, not just about our culture but other cultures," said Perez. "It was a good experience to have the dancers come here, and it excites me to travel more and learn more about other cultures."
The dance groups, Torre Sebelenea from Italy, and Justo Del Rio from Spain performed dances based on traditional concepts such as romance and death of a loved one.
"The colorful costumes and folk music started long ago and the tradition kept going through the years," said Vanessa Meydeydros, coordinator and guide for Torre Sebelenea.
After three months of preparation, advertising, and coordinating transportation for the dancers to arrive at Lajes, the overall event went very well, said Case.
The folklore performers agreed that their visit to Lajes was beneficial for all.
"We enjoy dancing and we're happy to be here to share our culture with everyone," Meydeydros said.
